Butler does not give details about the abortionists he spoke of, nor does he say whether the ones who committed suicide were former abortionists who had repented or doctors who were still doing abortions. Yet despite his lack of details, the quote shows that there are some – probably many – abortionists who are not immune to the horror of what they do.

Abortion clinics all over the country are full of doctors who have no sympathy toward unborn babies and are willing to tear them apart for money, or perhaps out of a misguided belief that they are helping women. Hardened to the suffering of the child being aborted, some of these doctors have performed tens of thousands of abortions. But there are those who repent, and those who struggle with their consciences.

And among those who quit, the guilt and remorse can be overpowering. This is why outreaches to abortionists and clinic workers are so important. Abby Johnson’s And Then There Were None, with its goal of converting abortion workers and its healing retreats for them, is a good ministry to support.

We can only hope that the grisly nature of abortion will lead more abortionists to convert. The pro-life movement should welcome them and help them heal.